With the vastness of the state – which is 70,698 square miles and ranks 17th out of all states for land area, in case you were wondering – you can get some pretty photographs from aerial views of North Dakota. Here are 11 fantastic shots taken from the air above the state.

1. Wow! It looks like a patchwork quilt.
docsearls/Flickr
This shot of farmland in North Dakota shows the Red River winding through a patchwork of fields that we all know from the ground, but look how amazing it looks from the air.
2. Look at these amazing patterns etched into the landscape.
brewbooks/Flickr
On a flight from Minneapolis to Seattle, Flickr user brewbooks snapped this amazing picture while flying over North Dakota.
3. An aerial view of one of the spillways near the Garrison Dam.
usacehq/Flickr
What an intriguing view of the water flow on the other side of the spillway - with the water in oddly satisfying, perfectly straight and even lines.
4. Wetlands around the Missouri River in northwestern ND.
USFWS Mountain-Prairie/Flickr
A view of what is known as the Maurer/Taylor tract, located at the confluence of the Yellowstone and Missouri rivers.
5. This fascinating photo of the Prairie Pothole region near Wing, ND.
usdagov/Flickr
This strange looking landscape has a very fitting name, with many pockets of water among all the low hills in the area.

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6. A great photo of the Fort Union Trading Post by the Missouri River.
NPCA/Flickr
Thanks to aerial photography in North Dakota, we can see this breathtaking shot of the river as well as the fort, which was originally built in 1828.
7. What a shot: a crude oil train near Medora and Beach, ND.
NPCA/Flickr
While agriculture in North Dakota is one of the main things to see from the sky, there is another huge industry that can provide fascinating views. This crazy long train hauling crude oil is captured in one aerial shot as it is going around a bend.
8. The Oxbow Overlook in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
NPCA/Flickr
Absolutely breathtaking. This is a part of ND everyone needs to visit in person at least once in their lifetime!
9. Looking west over Watford City, ND.
NPCA/Flickr
This shows a good idea of what it is like near the oil fields in northwest ND. You can see the temporary housing and roads constructed for oil and gas workers.
10. Look closely - you can see thousands of snow geese flying over these fields in North Dakota.
USFWS Mountain-Prairie/Flickr
While the fields are almost done with the spring melt water still lingering, thousands of snow geese flock over them in their long migration.
11. There are hardly enough words to describe a view like this!
NCPA/Flickr
Despite the oil pad off to the side, this natural landscape formed by the flowing Little Missouri river still holds its perfect and pristine beauty.

Not many other states can say they have views like these. North Dakota has its own unique variety of landscapes that we North Dakotans are proud to call home! Discover more beautiful nature photography in North Dakota to see some great examples.

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Aerial Views Of North Dakota

Leah | February 20, 2020

What is the most beautiful aerial footage of North Dakota?

The aerial photography in North Dakota featured here is just the start. You can find more birds' eye views of the Peace Garden State all over, including some amazing drone footage. Here is a great example of some of the drone videos, and another showing off the agriculture of North Dakota during harvest. The state looks absolutely spectacular from the sky and thanks to aerial photographers like these that we are allowed to see it.

Where should I go to take photos of North Dakota?

Even if you can't fly up in a plane to get some aerial views of North Dakota, you can still find the perfect spot for amazing photos right from the ground. People love visiting overlooks like the Oxbow Overlook in the Theodore Roosevelt National Park to get outstanding panoramic photos of the badlands. The Pembina Gorge is popular for photographers during the fall when the forest that fills the gorge turns into the most stunning array of colors. The Coteau des Prairies Lodge, located in the unique Prairie Potholes region of ND, has photography workshops and getaways for people of all skill levels to capture some print-worthy shots.

What are the most picturesque hiking trails in North Dakota?

A great way to find places to take nature photos in North Dakota is to go on hikes. Luckily, there are quite a few picturesque hikes in the state that have views of rivers, lakes, forests, farmland, and more. There is a trail that leads to the state's only natural waterfall in Ransom County, deep within the Sheyenne State Forest. Turtle River State Park, located not too far west of Grand Forks, has lovely trails with views of the river winding through the trees. In the west, the Wind Canyon Trail in the Theodore Roosevelt National Park is a popular spot especially at sunset for photographers.

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